Texas Rangers Win World Series, Marte’s Streak Ends

In an unlikely matchup in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series between two wild-card teams, the Texas Rangers dominated, winning in five games over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team’s victory is their first World Series crown in franchise history. The Rangers rebounded well after being crushed in Game 2, giving up just eight runs in the next three games. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was named the World Series MVP for the second time in his career, joining just three other players as two-time MVPs. Pitcher Max Scherzer, outfielder Adolis García, and shortstop Marcus Semien were other key contributors to the Rangers’ success.

Although the Diamondbacks lost, they had a memorable run to the World Series, having won the fewest regular season games out of any team in the postseason. Furthermore, second baseman Ketel Marte set a record in this year’s World Series — he holds the mark for the most postseason games with a hit at 20. His streak ended in Game 5 but has cemented his name in MLB history.

LA28 Committee Proposes New Sports for 2028 Summer Games

The LA28 Organizing Committee has proposed five sports be added to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles: baseball/softball, cricket, lacrosse, squash, and flag football. The first three sports have all been a part of the Olympics in the past — baseball/softball from 1992–2008 and 2020, cricket in 1900, and lacrosse in 1904 and 1908. Squash and flag football would be brand new additions to the Olympic sports catalog. The International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Programme Commission will issue a recommendation to the IOC Executive Board for these sports to become new additions. If the recommendation is accepted, the sports will then be presented to the IOC Session for approval.

For the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, there will be four new sports: breakdancing, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. All four sports have seen a dramatic rise in popularity in the last few years and have established competition circuits, including the X Games for skateboarding and the World Surf League. 

MLS Playoffs get underway

The 2023 Major League Soccer Playoffs have just begun. In this year’s format, the eighth and ninth best teams in each conference — the Eastern Conference and Western Conference — played one game to determine which team earned a wild card spot. In both conferences, the eighth seed won the wild card game: Sporting Kansas City defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the Western Conference battle in penalties, while the New York Red Bulls trounced Charlotte FC 5–2. Kansas City has carried their momentum into the playoffs and demolished the No. 1 seed St. Louis City 4–1. However, St. Louis, and every other team that lost the first game in their best-of-three quarter final matchup, can still make it into the semifinals by winning their next two games. The playoffs continue this weekend with No. 1 seed FC Cincinnati looking to close out the New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders seeking a sweep against FC Dallas.

Pride Tape Reinstated in NHL

In June, the National Hockey League announced that it would be banning the use of “Pride Tape” on hockey sticks, along with all other “specialty” jerseys or gear. The league’s announcement came after players faced backlash last year for refusing to take part in warmups wearing “Pride jerseys,” including defenseman Ivan Provorov, who cited his Russian Orthodox religion. Some teams then didn’t partake in “Pride Night” in an effort to protect their players.

The NHL’s announcement was met with swift and sweeping backlash. Travis Dermott, a defenseman for the Arizona Coyotes, was the first to violate the ban and wrap his stick in Pride Tape. “It’s not like I’m shutting up and going away,” Dermott said in an interview with PHNX Sports. “I know more questions are going to be coming. We’re just going to be as prepared as we can be to just spread love. That’s the thing. It’s gay pride that we’re talking about, but it could be men’s health. It could be any war. It’s just wanting world peace. Everyone’s got to love each other a little bit more.”

In light of the backlash, the NHL reversed their stance on the ban. 

“After consultation with the NHL Players Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season,” the NHL said in a statement.